Pivotable tool having crossing-connected arms

ABSTRACT

A pivotable tool includes a pair of pivotally interconnected arms disposed in a crossing relationship and having a manually releasable releasing device which locks the arms in a perpendicular open position for use of the tool as a wrench. Each of two ends of the two arms is mounted a socket. A collar is movably received between the two arms and is pushed to release the lock status by the releasing device.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a tool having two arms pivotally connected at middle thereof by a releasing device which is pressed to allow the two arms to be pivoted with each other.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] A conventional tool wrench for loosening bolts of tires generally includes two arms which are connected with each other in a crossing relationship and each one of two ends of the two arms is connected to a socket so that the user holds one arm to rotate the other arm to loosen bolts. A releasing device is used to interconnect the two arms so that when operating the releasing device, the lock status of the two arms is released and the two arms can be rotated with other to be a compact size by overlapping one arm onto the other, or to expand the two arms to be a cross shape. The releasing device is connected to the two arms by having multiple tiny grooves and holes defined in the arms so that springs and pins are engaged with these grooves and holes to connect the two arms by the releasing device. It is experienced that the cost for drilling these tiny holes and grooves is too high that the tools cannot be accepted by the markets. It is one of the main concerns to manufacture the tools by a simple structure and low manufacturing cost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pivotable tool which comprises a first arm having a first passage and two grooves are defined in an inner periphery of the first passage. A second arm has a second passage defined through a middle thereof and two notches are defined in an inner periphery of the second passage.

[0004] A spring and a collar are received in the second passage and two lugs extend from an outer periphery of the collar. The two lugs are movably received in the two notches and the two grooves. A pin extends through the first passage, the second passage and the collar. A button is mounted on a first end of the pin and has two tongues which contact the two lugs of the collar.

[0005] The primary object of the present invention is to provide a pivotable tool that has simple structure and is easily manufactured so as to reduce the manufacturing cost.

[0006] The present invention will become more obvious from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which show, for purposes of illustration only, a preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007]FIG. 1 is an exploded view to show a pivotable tool of the present invention;

[0008]FIG. 2 is a perspective view to show the pivotable tool of the present invention;

[0009]FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view to show the first arm of the pivotable tool of the present invention;

[0010]FIG. 4 is a perspective view to show the underside of the first arm of the pivotable tool of the present invention;

[0011]FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view to show the pivotable tool of the present invention;

[0012]FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view to show the pivotable tool of the present invention wherein the button is pressed;

[0013]FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view to show the two arms are rotated with each other when the button is pushed, and

[0014]FIG. 8 shows a top view of the pivotable tool as shown in FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0015] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4, the pivotable tool of the present invention comprises a first arm 10 having a connection portion 12 at a middle thereof and a first passage 13 is defined through the connection portion 12. Two grooves 14 are defined in an inner periphery of the first passage 13 and an annular sink recess 130 is defined in the first arm 10 and communicates with the first passage 13.

[0016] Further referring to FIG. 5, a second arm 30 has a connection portion 22 at a middle thereof and a second passage 23 is defined through the connection portion 22. Two notches 231 and an annular step surface are defined in an inner periphery of the second passage 23.

[0017] A spring 53 and a collar 50 are received in the second passage 23 wherein the spring 53 is rested on the annular step surface and contacts the underside of the collar 50. Two lugs 52 extend from an outer periphery of the collar 50 and are movably received in the two notches 231 and the two grooves 14. A pin 30 extends through the first passage 13, the second passage 23 and the collar 50, and a nut 40 is threadedly connected to the threaded section of the shank 31 of the pin 30 below the connection portion 22 of the second arm 20. A flange 32 extends radially from a first end of the pin 30 and two concavities 35 are defined in the flange 32. The flange 32 of the pin 30 is received in the annular sink recess 130.

[0018] A button 61 is mounted on the first end of the pin 30 and has two tongues 611 which extends through the concavities 35 and contact the two lugs 52 of the collar 50. The first end of the pin 30 has a recess 33 and a rod 62 is threadedly connected to underside of the button 61 and inserted in the recess 33. Two hooks 621 extend from a distal end of the rod 62 and a slit 622 is defined between the two hooks 621 so that the two hooks 621 can be pushed close to each other. A ring 63 having a hole is securely engaged with a sink recess 34 in the top surface of the flange 32 and mounted to the rod 62. The two hooks 621 extend through the hole and a diameter of the hole of the ring 63 is smaller than the two hooks 621 so that the rod 62 is not disengaged from the pin 30.

[0019] Referring to FIGS. 6 to 8, when pushing the button 61 downward, the two tongues 611 push the two lugs 52 and the collar 50 to press the spring 53 till the top surface of the collar 50 is flush with the top surface of the connection portion 22 of the second arm 20. The first arm 10 and the second arm 20 are then able to be rotated with each other to become a compact size which is convenient to be stored and carried.

[0020] While we have shown and described the embodiment in accordance with the present invention, it should be clear to those skilled in the art that further embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A pivotable tool comprising: a first arm having a first passage defined through a middle thereof and two grooves defined in an inner periphery of the first passage; a second arm having a second passage defined through a middle thereof and two notches defined in an inner periphery of the second passage; a spring and a collar received in the second passage and two lugs extending from an outer periphery of the collar, the two lugs movably received in the two notches and the two grooves, a pin extending through the first passage, the second passage and the collar, and a button mounted on a first end of the pin and having two tongues which contact the two lugs of the collar.
 2. The tool as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first end of the pin has a recess and a rod extends from an underside of the button and is inserted in the recess.
 3. The tool as claimed in claim 2 further comprising two hooks extending from a distal end of the rod and a slit defined between the two hooks, a ring mounted to the rod and having a hole which is smaller than the two hooks.
 4. The tool as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a flange extending radially from the first end of the pin and two concavities defined in the flange, the two tongues extending through the concavities.
 5. The tool as claimed in claim 4 further comprising an annular sink recess defined in the first arm and communicating with the first passage, the flange of the pin received in the annular sink recess. 